Three suspects, who had allegedly been terrorising the Nzhelele community with armed robberies, were eventually arrested during a shoot-out with the police at Phadzima last Wednesday.

This came as a huge relief to businesspeople in the area.

The three, Big Ramaphosa (31), Thamsanga Maphanga (25) and Mr Gift Dliwayo (27), were arrested by the Siloam police after a tip-off from community members, shortly after three men had robbed a local supermarket at Mandala village.

According to the police, the men were heavily armed and entered the store pretending tto be customers. They allegedly later produced fire-arms and, according to a police report, demanded money and groceries at gunpoint. The police were called and the suspects started shooting.

WO Itani Muila, spokesperson for the Siloam police, confirmed the incident, adding that the police had recovered a 9mm Noriko pistol as well as groceries, cigarettes, chocolate and cash to the value of R5 337. The police have opened a case of robbery.

According to Muila, both Maphanga and Ramaphosa are from Springs, while Dliwayo is from Mozambique.

Muila praised members of the community for their continuous involvement in the fight against crime. "Together with members of the community, we are slowly winning the war against crime," said Muila.

The three suspects briefly appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate´s Court last Friday, and the case was postponed for further investigations. The suspects remain in custody.